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03.23.10 – Ten for Tuesday

1. When you were a senior in high school, what career did you think you’d choose? Did you? Why or why not? I thought I’d be a lawyer. And no – I didn’t. I went to college, got a BA in Political Science (still thinking I’d be a lawyer), and applied to law schools three rounds. No one accepted me. I had excellent test scores, activities, internships, etc. No one even called me back. I got disgusted and decided not to pursue it further. Then, I thought I’d go back to graduate school for a Master’s in Public Administration…however my DH (boyfriend at the time) had just gotten a Master’s of Public Policy, and was still having trouble finding employment.

So I decided to forgo the “further education”. Boyfriend-soon-to-be-fiancé (and now husband) had racked up 80,000 in student debt for his degree, and considering it wasn’t helping him all the much, I decided to forgo adding to our lifetime debt as well.

But if somebody gave me the money, I’d go back for a Master’s degree in a heartbeat. I work for local government now, and feel like it would help me move up the ranks.

2. What one thing about the “real world” did you find most surprising once you were on your own? Not that much. My mother left me and my dad when I was 13, and my dad didn’t cook/clean/launder, etc, so I learned all of that stuff, all those domestic responsibilities, at an early age. She also moved out at a time when we were boarding horses, so I took up that business as well. Responsibilities weren’t a surprise to me after college.

What surprised me most was how difficult it was to get a job. My entire life people told me to go to college, because it meant a better job. I couldn’t get a job period. I was overqualified for most entry-level positions because of my degree, and not qualified for upper level because I had no experience.

Finding my first real job out of college was a horrible and trying experience. I wish they’d spend more time in college helping you get ready for that. And even when I did find jobs, the first 2 were administrative/receptionist type jobs (nothing to do with my degree) which paid diddly squat.

The better paying jobs I’ve had since then have come because of personal recommendation and hard work. Not my college degree.

3. Name 3 things you think your closest friends DON’T like about you. I’m a homebody, I dislike “adventure” and most of the hobbies and activities I enjoy…I enjoy doing alone.

4. In order to sleep, do you need background noise or absolute quiet? I need the hum of a fan and the constant air flow it creates. We installed ceiling fans in our bedrooms thinking it would provide what I needed – but they’re too quiet. LOL

5. Why do you choose to reside in your current city? Yes, you have a choice. I moved here because my boyfriend (now husband) had moved back to his hometown (this area) and had gotten a good-paying job. I was working temp jobs, living with my dad, on the other side of the state. So I moved here. Then I found a decent paying job. And my husband has an irrational fear of not being able to find another good paying job anywhere else, so we stayed here. We bought a house here.

But I wish we lived closer to my family, as we have zero support network here for when we have kids. No free babysitters, long distance travel to see grandparents….sucks.

6. Are you close to your parents? Not physically, but we talk often on the phone. I wish we lived closer, especially as we talk about having children.

7. What is your favorite fiction book? Poem? Blog? Fiction Book: Legend of the Seeker book series

8. Do you enjoy cooking or is it a chore? I run a cooking blog, so I’d say I enjoy cooking. haha

9. Be honest. What one thing would (the majority of) your blog readers be shocked to find out about you? I rode horses and competed nationally for 10 years (Arabian breed circuit). And miss it dearly.

10. If you were given your own national holiday, what would you require people to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Day of You? Would there be a parade? Greeting cards? It would always fall on a Monday or Friday, and would be a holiday from work for everyone. I don’t need parades or greeting cards, but I’d want it to be a national get-together-and-cook-out-or-picnic kind of holiday….probably in early/mid May so the weather is nice, but not hot yet.